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Sunday, May 17, 2009

At the Marché

I already mentioned the various markets of Paris on this blog, but I never told you about the one on Place Monge, to which I went for the first time on Friday morning and where I took this photo. It's a wonderful market with amazing fresh food. FYI, the list of Paris markets in each arrondissement is shown here. It's in French, but easy to understand. You can also spot them on a map. I'm still working on the videos of the picnic. Please be patient!

I have this wonderful book called "Paris in a Basket" and it shows you the open markets in Paris, by arrondissement. It's an 'old' book (a few years old?), I think, based on the pics, but it has recipes and everything. One of my favorite books because it shows you the REAL Paris, the little neighborhoods and things away from the center and tourist traps. I just love it.

We know it takes AN AWFUL LOT OF TIME to go through all the picnic media, so take your time (well not too much time ;)

It seems to me the classic English finger food is a little cream cheese with cucumber on bread, while the French have some sweet butter with sliced radishes and a sprinkling of salt. I guess for the US, it's peanut butter and jelly.

First, slice off the top part and trim the stem (only leave about an inch and 1/2 or so, just enough to grab the radish comfortably with your finger). Wash them real well, then slice the radishes from the top down a couple of times, and dip them in cold water for a few minutes so they open up in the shape of a flower. Serve with butter.

Ok here's my English method. It's a bit complicated so pay attention. Take a radish, cut off the taily thingummy. Cut off the other endy bit. Then lift it up and ... pop the wholethingintoyourmouth! CRUNCH!mmmmmmmmmm. Ohhh what time does the supermarket open?

Would I be mistaken if I were to believe that when UK Lynn thinks of PDP radishes they tend to resemble less those little red ones as found in today’s photo (admirably caught in the glory of their chiaroscuro) than Japanese daikon radishes?

Shell – I just moments ago finally got a chance to check out your picnic painting. That is so impressive. I was really blown away by how you mirrored the image of the computer screen as if it was from Eric’s perspective (even including his portrait photo, but seen from the back), as if that would be how he would see it looking from within.

We are all looking through a window into Eric’s world but he is also looking out that window, figuratively and artistically. Just brilliant!

Remember, there was no cheating because noone had the luxury of checking the internet. Well, there WAS a from of "cheating" as the excitment rose to such a crecendo(oh, the drama of it all) that answers were called out instead of written.

Yes, Eric, what were you doing at Place Monge on a week/work day ?Maybe you were on your way to interview the "Gardes Républicains" ? Or their horses ? If so, sorry to tell you but you picked the wrong radishes !!BTW, radishes are a geat satisfaction for beginner gardeners, you sow them, especially the kind called "radis de 18 jours", around a week later, you actually see them and less than 3 weeks later you eat them !! Simple but great pleasure, don't you agree Coltrane ?

My heart skipped a beat. Personnally, she's not my cup of tea, she is manipulating and I don't like that so much. Valmont is delightful. Tea with him would be gorgeous. Today, I have lunch at my parents'. Sure one could think I'm kidding or something - but really not!! Back to the photo, I don't like a lot radishes and I don't even digest them easily. Oh gonna talk about my disabilities could be fun ;)

This is a great photo; and the sun on the radishes just make them even more appetizing, I think I'll go and buy a bunch today, but unfortunately not on a Parisien market. I love radishes with bread and cheese.

Denmark, yes of course! Um who else has posed nude? Could it be a male? ER-IC?

I didn't receive money for my posing. I was an artist in the group and the model didn't turn up. So ... well, SOMEone had to do it! :) I was young....it was ok...In the following weeks, a few of us took turns to model and, by not paying a model, our fees went down. Parfait!

Shell; Michael; my heart is beating regularly but I have to say at first look at TG's link it surely skipped a beat. Oh the shock, the shock, will I recover, such an innocent as moi? :(

Radishes? Cherries? As long as the vegetable or fruit is fresh, I know I will like it. The light on these gives me the idea of adding butter to a small sandwich of radishes on artisian bread. mmm. Now I'm hungry for good food. Thanks Eric.